We arrived at the hotel around 3:30 am Friday. After checking in and a brief rest in the room I wandered outside for a smoke and there met the first two Canadians- this was the beginning of a awesome weekend.
Both days ran rather smoothly, easy and smooth all around with load in and out, vending etc. I thought Reggies was a perfect place to hold such an event, that place was build for this fest. I also really liked the vending area, doubt anything else would have fit up there though. They also have amazing veggie burgers. The staff was great, and the chick working the sound for the main stage did a great job.
I did not see every band due to vending or being held up in conversation. I did of course see most of the main stage. Paradoxx wasnt bad. Wrath were to hot but I guess that was not to unexpected since the band were not really active from what I understand. I knew what to expect with October 31 and well they never disappoint, never jaw dropping amazing but straight up pure heavy metal and fun. I felt Eldritch were really out of place on this festival; I have never really been a fan, besides years of being exposed to progressive metal fans have somewhat helped to kill my enjoyment of that kind of stuff anyway. I somewhat felt bad for the band because it just seemed that no one was interested. Sleepy Hollow was probably the one set that I saw that did absolutely nothing for me; if anything set sounded bad on the main stage I think it was their set. As for Gates of Slumber I do like them a lot and doom metal in general, but it did seemed to slow things down a lot. I was setting upstairs during the set just feeling this dragging mood in the air, of course what should one espct during a doom band. Now I think a doom band can work and should be on the bill, just think Gates might not have been the best choice. Maybe we can see Solitude Aeturnus in the future, something with a more crossover appeal.
The ones I really enjoyed seemed to be the popular consensus with everyone. I had my doubts going in but I really enjoyed Omen, well it was just hearing those songs live that I have known for about 25 years now. I thought the new singer was fine and I think he is a very lively front man. I liked the fact that he communicated with the audience, however not the way he went about it- I just dont go for all the hell yeah redneck-ish Pantera type banter. Shok Paris and Oz both played really solid pro sets. I have always wanted to see both bands and never thought I would see Oz, so that was great for me.
I only caught to bands on the second stage and walked in and out on a few. Most of what I caught in there the sound just was not that great, fuzzy, too loud, not loud enough, etc. However Winterhawk destroyed it. Those guys were so fucking good and their sound was certainly came across a lot smoother than the others I heard in there. Most of the sound in that room just seemed like a mess but people were enjoying it so thumbs up.
The band that took the weekend was hands down Ashbury. I have listened to this band for years and always wanted to see them live thinking this would never happen. When it was announced I thought it was going to be really cool to see them but how in the hell would this work on a metal festival? In Europe I could see it working, but in America? Well it seem the star where aligned and timing was right because it went over fabulously. I personally think they schooled a lot of bands that night and amazed a lot of traditionally pure heavy metal fans. Im so glad this happened I got to see it. I stood in front of the stage on the verge of tears watching that set.
On Friday night Jamie and I sat in our hotel room with Kenny Powell and his wife Heather. He share some really cool stories with me has he ate our pizza. I remember thinking to myself, wow here is this guy eating my pizza in my hotel room who put out albums that I have been listening to since I have had hair on my balls. HAHA Meanwhile he seemed so amazed over the fact that the pizza was still warm.
Meeting Dennis from Rockadrome Records was really cool; he is a really down to earth dude and it was nice to talk shop with him.
Then there were the Canadians. What an awesome bunch of people to hang with. They are the nicest and the most polite people. These guys were just an added bonus to the weekend. I think that in coming years the fest should advertise with special guest appearances by The Canadians. Their mischief and high jinks were comical and cartoon-ish. If you saw the traveling party then you would understand my description.
One of the best things about the weekend and all so humbling were all the people who spoke to me about the label, our bands, and who were genuinely interested. I needed that after all the years of just thinking that it is not working. So I thank all you guys for your support over these years. Also thank all of you for spending your money on your metal goodies at the fest. It was so good to finally not be the odd vendor at a fest and actually be somewhere with people who knew what the hell we were carrying.
Ragnarokkr 2014 was a metal festival for real metal heads, with a real metal audience. There is no doubt that the festival has achieved what it was set out to do; now trick is to maintain and grow. It was probably the most fun I have ever had at any metal festival even including Germany. Actually the most fun at any other music festival I have attended. I so look forward to next year.
Congratulation Mike.
Well I have a mess of work to get to so cheers,
J.
Both days ran rather smoothly, easy and smooth all around with load in and out, vending etc. I thought Reggies was a perfect place to hold such an event, that place was build for this fest. I also really liked the vending area, doubt anything else would have fit up there though. They also have amazing veggie burgers. The staff was great, and the chick working the sound for the main stage did a great job.
I did not see every band due to vending or being held up in conversation. I did of course see most of the main stage. Paradoxx wasnt bad. Wrath were to hot but I guess that was not to unexpected since the band were not really active from what I understand. I knew what to expect with October 31 and well they never disappoint, never jaw dropping amazing but straight up pure heavy metal and fun. I felt Eldritch were really out of place on this festival; I have never really been a fan, besides years of being exposed to progressive metal fans have somewhat helped to kill my enjoyment of that kind of stuff anyway. I somewhat felt bad for the band because it just seemed that no one was interested. Sleepy Hollow was probably the one set that I saw that did absolutely nothing for me; if anything set sounded bad on the main stage I think it was their set. As for Gates of Slumber I do like them a lot and doom metal in general, but it did seemed to slow things down a lot. I was setting upstairs during the set just feeling this dragging mood in the air, of course what should one espct during a doom band. Now I think a doom band can work and should be on the bill, just think Gates might not have been the best choice. Maybe we can see Solitude Aeturnus in the future, something with a more crossover appeal.
The ones I really enjoyed seemed to be the popular consensus with everyone. I had my doubts going in but I really enjoyed Omen, well it was just hearing those songs live that I have known for about 25 years now. I thought the new singer was fine and I think he is a very lively front man. I liked the fact that he communicated with the audience, however not the way he went about it- I just dont go for all the hell yeah redneck-ish Pantera type banter. Shok Paris and Oz both played really solid pro sets. I have always wanted to see both bands and never thought I would see Oz, so that was great for me.
I only caught to bands on the second stage and walked in and out on a few. Most of what I caught in there the sound just was not that great, fuzzy, too loud, not loud enough, etc. However Winterhawk destroyed it. Those guys were so fucking good and their sound was certainly came across a lot smoother than the others I heard in there. Most of the sound in that room just seemed like a mess but people were enjoying it so thumbs up.
The band that took the weekend was hands down Ashbury. I have listened to this band for years and always wanted to see them live thinking this would never happen. When it was announced I thought it was going to be really cool to see them but how in the hell would this work on a metal festival? In Europe I could see it working, but in America? Well it seem the star where aligned and timing was right because it went over fabulously. I personally think they schooled a lot of bands that night and amazed a lot of traditionally pure heavy metal fans. Im so glad this happened I got to see it. I stood in front of the stage on the verge of tears watching that set.
On Friday night Jamie and I sat in our hotel room with Kenny Powell and his wife Heather. He share some really cool stories with me has he ate our pizza. I remember thinking to myself, wow here is this guy eating my pizza in my hotel room who put out albums that I have been listening to since I have had hair on my balls. HAHA Meanwhile he seemed so amazed over the fact that the pizza was still warm.
Meeting Dennis from Rockadrome Records was really cool; he is a really down to earth dude and it was nice to talk shop with him.
Then there were the Canadians. What an awesome bunch of people to hang with. They are the nicest and the most polite people. These guys were just an added bonus to the weekend. I think that in coming years the fest should advertise with special guest appearances by The Canadians. Their mischief and high jinks were comical and cartoon-ish. If you saw the traveling party then you would understand my description.
One of the best things about the weekend and all so humbling were all the people who spoke to me about the label, our bands, and who were genuinely interested. I needed that after all the years of just thinking that it is not working. So I thank all you guys for your support over these years. Also thank all of you for spending your money on your metal goodies at the fest. It was so good to finally not be the odd vendor at a fest and actually be somewhere with people who knew what the hell we were carrying.
Ragnarokkr 2014 was a metal festival for real metal heads, with a real metal audience. There is no doubt that the festival has achieved what it was set out to do; now trick is to maintain and grow. It was probably the most fun I have ever had at any metal festival even including Germany. Actually the most fun at any other music festival I have attended. I so look forward to next year.
Congratulation Mike.
Well I have a mess of work to get to so cheers,
J.
I just mention this because it is a rare site in the U.S. So ladies I raise my glass to you all.
